Sir Alex Ferguson has defended his Manchester United players insisting they
are not a 'dirty' side despite their unusually high card count so far this
season.

Bad boys: Manchester United have the worst disciplinary record so far in the Premier League, earning seven bookings (including one for Rio Ferdinand) in the game against ChelseaPhoto: AFP

By Matt Lawless

11:32AM BST 03 Oct 2008

United have started the campaign with the worst disciplinary record in the Premier League having been shown 15 yellow cards and one red in their opening five games – most of which accumulated in the high-octane matches against championship rivals Chelsea and Liverpool.

Seven cautions came in the game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last month and United were subsequently punished by The Football Association with a mandatory £25,000 fine for receiving more than six bookings in a game.

But Ferguson rejected claims that his side have displayed a profound lack of respect for officials this season, arguing that some decisions had been slightly harsh against them.

"I've got no problem with the discipline of my team, none at all," he said.

"We've had two of our toughest away games in a row, at Liverpool and Chelsea – it's very difficult for referees at Liverpool, as we all know.

Related Articles

"And if you analyse the Chelsea game there wasn't a bad tackle in the match."

Ferguson added: "We always try to play our football, play the right way and that's the way we will continue."

With just eight points from a possible 15 United have not made the best of starts to their title defence, currently residing in 11th place in the early standings, six points behind pacesetters Chelsea and Liverpool.

But Ferguson is unconcerned, refusing to hit the panic button as he prepares his side for their visit to Blackburn Rovers tomorrow evening.

He added: "The table doesn't make good reading for United fans but we are getting there.

"There is no need to panic because, as I see it, there are a lot of positives."